JANET REITMAN
The Rolling Stone contributing editor discusses and signs “Scientology: The Story of America’s Most Secretive Religion,” a journalistic exploration of a controversial faith’s history, from pseudoscientific self-help group to worldwide spiritual corporation. Based on five years of research and unprecedented access to Scientology officials, Reitman offers an even-handed look at the development of this controversial religion, which attracts celebrities, attacks psychiatry and requires its followers to pay tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars for salvation. Thu. 7 p.m. Free. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 659-3110. booksoup.com.

CALVIN TRILLIN WITH KEVIN NEALON
Two political and social satirists share the stage tonight. Trillin, a contributor to The New Yorker, Time and The Nation, is renowned for his food writing, political poetry and comic novels. Trillin has selected the best of his humorous writing for his new book, “Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin: Forty Years of Funny Stuff,” which he discusses tonight with “Weeds” star Nealon, author of the 2008 book “Yes, You’re Pregnant, but What About Me?” Wed. 7:30 p.m. $20. Writers Guild Theatre, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. writersblocpresents.com.

THU., SEPT. 22

AMY EPHRON
The best-selling author and sibling of Nora Ephron discusses and signs copies of her memoir, “Loose Diamonds,” in which she humorously and candidly talks about her childhood, two marriages, parenting, friendships and other highlights from her life. Thu. 7 p.m. Free. Diesel, A Bookstore — Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., Santa Monica. (310) 576-9960. dieselbookstore.com.

“THE GOD OF ISAAC”
Playwright James Sherman’s comedy follows a second-generation American Jew who learns that a Nazi group plans to stage a demonstration in Skokie, Ill., and wonders what — if anything — he should do about it. The play is part of the West Coast Jewish Theatre’s 2011 season. Sat. Through Nov. 27. 8 p.m. $20-$35. Pico Playhouse, 10508 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 860-6620. wcjt.org.

“CAPITOL STEPS: THE LIGHTER SIDE OF POLITICS”
The D.C.-based comedy troupe of former congressional staffers returns to American Jewish University with song parodies, skits and stand-up that satirize the politicians and culture of Capitol Hill. Sun. 4 p.m. $45. American Jewish University, Gindi Auditorium, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1246. ajula.edu.

MON., OCT. 24

“WANDERING EYES”
In this 2010 documentary directed by Ofir Trainin, manic depression prevents Gabriel Balahassan, an Israeli would-be rock star and former Orthodox Jew, from achieving his artistic ambitions. Following his release from a mental institution, Balachsan leaves his family behind and moves to Tel Aviv, where he struggles to complete his solo album as he wrestles with his illness. Mon. 6-9 p.m. Free. UCLA Center for Israel Studies, Royce Hall 362, Los Angeles. (310) 825-9646. international.ucla.edu.

THU., OCT. 27

“WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY”
Inspired by the best-selling book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the Skirball’s new exhibition of photography, graphics and visual art addresses how women have persevered in the face of sex trafficking, gender-based violence and maternal mortality in the developing world. Museum visitors can learn more about ways to advocate on behalf of victims. Thu. Through March 11. Noon-5 p.m. (Tuesday-Friday), 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday). $10 (general), $7 (seniors and full-time students), $5 (children, 2 to 12), free (members and children, 2 and under; everyone on Thursdays). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

FRI., OCT. 28

MAX MAVEN
The popular mentalist and magician performs “Thinking in Person: An Evening of Knowing and Not Knowing,” which blends conventional magic and mind reading. Not suitable for children under 12. Fri. 8 p.m. $40-$60. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. (800) 300-4345. cerritoscenter.com.

EVELYN GLENNIE AND MAYA BEISER
Kibbutz-raised Beiser, a cello virtuosa, performs tonight with Dame, a Scottish percussionist. The evening features individual sets by the artists and a joint performance of a short and not-yet-titled new work by Pulitzer-winning composer David Lang. Fri. 8 p.m. $20-$75 (general), $15 (UCLA students). Royce Hall, UCLA Campus, Los Angeles. (310) 825-4401. uclalive.org

WED., NOV. 23

BOBBY SLAYTON
The stand-up comedian, known as the “pitbull of comedy,” likes to say, “If you can’t laugh a yourself, make fun of other people,” which is why everybody’s fair game when he’s performing. Tonight, he brings the funny to Hermosa Beach. Warning: This show is not for the easily offended. Wed. 8 p.m. $22.50 The Comedy and Magic Club, 1018 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach. (310) 372-1193. comedyandmagicclub.com.

“THE MUPPETS”
Jason Segel (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) and Amy Adams (“The Fighter”) co-star in this new film, which follows Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest of Jim Henson’s beloved characters as they struggle to save their old studio from a greedy tycoon. The star-studded supporting cast includes Mila Kunis, Zach Galifianakis, John Krasinski, Jack Black and many others. disney.go.com/muppets.

Email Newsletter Sign Up

Don’t miss any of the latest news and events!
Get the Jewish Journal in your inbox.

JewishJournal.com is produced by TRIBE Media Corp., a non-profit media company whose mission is to inform, connect and enlighten community
through independent journalism. TRIBE Media produces the 150,000-reader print weekly Jewish Journal in Los Angeles – the largest Jewish print
weekly in the West – and the monthly glossy Tribe magazine (TribeJournal.com). Please support us by clicking here.